DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking to buy Green Mountain potatoes for this
winter. Does anyone have them available? Thanks. — No Name, Now Town

ANSWER:
According to www.mainerec.com, the Green Mountain potato is the potato
that made the state of Maine famous, even though it was named after the
mountains of Vermont and was replaced on most Maine farms in the 1940s
by varieties that were easier to grow. You are not alone in liking
them, mainerec.com says that “Mountains” are considered by many to be
the most flavorful of all potatoes. According to gardening Web sites,
many people still grow them. Hopefully a reader will know of some local
source that sells them.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I enjoy your column; it makes my coffee taste better. Could you find out if the XPress Redi-Set-Go Cooker or the Swivel Sweeper G-2 is sold in our area? Thank you for your effort that goes into this service for so many people every day. — No Name, No Town

ANSWER: It appears that the Redi-Set-Go Cooker is available only by calling 1-800-515-0764 or visiting their Web site (www.redisetgo.com). The Swivel Sweeper is available at www.swivelsweeper.com or from amazon.com, where it was a little cheaper. From what she saw on the Internet, Sun Spots assumes you saw both of these products advertised on television. Think carefully before purchasing them. The online reviews were mixed.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Earlier this year you had some wonderful “money-saving recipes.” I tried several that were excellent. Today I was looking for one of those recipes and I just could not find it. I am upset and really hope you can print it for me again. It was a recipe for split-pea soup. I appreciate it, thanks so much. — Louise, No Town

ANSWER: Sun Spots is pleased that you enjoyed the recipes. That particular recipe came from Carol Coultas, former Sun Journal staff writer and current editor of Mainebiz.

Advertisement

Carol’s pea soup

Leftover meat from ham, cut into small pieces (1 to 2 cups, depending on how meaty you want it)

4 or 5 carrots

2 or 3 potatoes

1 onion, chopped

8 cups of water

Advertisement

1 pound of split peas

Salt and pepper to taste

Cut leftover meat from the ham into small pieces. Pull any remaining meat off the ham bone and cut that meat as well. Place the ham bone in a big pot, cover with water. Bring it to a boil, then simmer for an hour or more to create stock for the soup. Remove the bone and strain the liquid.

Wipe out the pot, then return the stock. Peel and slice four or five carrots, chop one onion, and peel and cube two or three potatoes. Add the vegetables to the stock. Bring to a boil, then lower the flame, cooking until the vegetables start to soften.

Then add 1 bag of split green peas, picked over and rinsed. Cook over a low flame, stirring occasionally until peas soften. Return ham meat to pot. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with cornbread.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you for all you do for the readers. There have been many fall fairs listed in Sun Spots. I have one more. The annual holiday craft fair sponsored by the Hartford Community Church Women’s Association will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hartford Town Hall on Route 140. We offer fine crafts, fall and gifts for many occasions, coffee, tea, cocoa and sandwiches, as well as homemade cookies, pies and fudge. We only have two more tables available to crafters. If you are interested in joining us, please call Frances Wallace at 597-2036. — Arlene, Hartford

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.